Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday urged Vice President Sara Duterte to be mindful of her remarks regarding her ongoing impeachment trial, stressing that the Senate impeachment court’s ruling on the sub judice rule applies to all parties, including the respondent.
“The court resolution… includes the respondent, meaning the vice president. She should also be conscious moving forward with her statements, especially on the merits,” Gatchalian told reporters.
Under Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s ruling, violations of the sub judice rule will merit a public reprimand on the first strike and a ₱30,000 fine for each subsequent offense.
Lawyers, including Duterte, risk referral to the Office of the Bar Confidant, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the Supreme Court for possible disciplinary sanctions.
On Wednesday, Duterte accused the prosecution of “fishing for evidence” and resorting to “adornment of theatrics” to mask what she described as a weak case. # (ZIA LUNA)
